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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice." That is, oftentimes. This also is a mark of great lowliness of mind, his not concealing that he could not bear those insidious plottings, that he fainted under them and was reduced to pray for deliverance.
Theophylact of Ohrid
"Thrice I besought" — that is, "many times I besought." It also serves as a sign of his humility that he confessed he could not endure the snares of the devil and the sufferings, and asked for help.
Western Saints
Gregory the Dialogist
If the Father gives us everything we ask in the name of the Son, what then does it mean that Paul asked the Lord three times and did not deserve to be heard, but it was said to him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness"? Did not that most excellent preacher ask in the name of the Son? Why then did he not receive what he asked? …
Thomas Aquinas
Now the Apostle was anxious to have this thorn removed and prayed that it might; hence he says: Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me. Here it should be noted a sick person, ignorant of the reason why a physician supplies a stinging plaster, asks him to remove it. But the physician, knowing its purpose, that is, for health, does not oblige him, caring more for his improvement. Similarly the Apostle, feeling that the sting was painful to him, sought the help of the unique physician to remove it. …
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